Spencers Theatre of Illusion - National Tour Sat. Dec. 14

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

11/26/2013 - International Magicians of The Year Perform Saturday, December 14, 2013

"Magicians Kevin and Cindy Spencer reach beyond the realm of a magic show and into the world of theatrical spectacle." - The Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, TX

Spencers: Theatre of Illusion is not your run-of-the-mill magic show; and the Spencers are not your typical magicians. The Spencers carry a lot of equipment in their 65 foot customized truck and trailer, but a rabbit and a top hat are not in the inventory.

Kevin and Cindy Spencer, known professionally as The Spencers, are among the world’s most recognized magical performers. They have mesmerized millions of people with sold out performances in 19 countries on 5 continents and will appear for locally for one-show only on Saturday, December 14 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville at 7:30 p.m.

“We were thrilled to be able to book this great family-friendly event on a Saturday,” noted Jeanette Shires, Mattie Kelly Arts Center Director, who explained the Spencers last performed in the area about 10 years ago. “When we last had the Spencers, folks loved them – they were a hit with young and old alike!” said Shires.

Seasoned entertainers – the Spencers have a trail of accolades in their wake. They have been named Performing Arts Entertainers of the Year an amazing six times and, in 2009, were bestowed magic’s highest honor, the Merlin Award for International Magicians of the Year joining the ranks of Henning, Copperfield, and Penn & Teller.

The Spencers’ production is a unique fusion of magic and illusion, humor and mystery, and persona and personality. With a background in clinical psychology, Kevin likes to say, “I was going to help people’s minds but now I just mess with them.”

Their show, Theatre of Illusion, stands in stark contrast to the traditional magic show. Spencer sees it not as a stage full of tricks used to fool people, but as a way to inspire viewers with a sense of wonder. By blending the theatrical elements of a Broadway-style production with the high energy of a rock concert, these artists take their audience on a journey to the brink of impossibility... and back again.

Tickets for Spencers Theatre of Illusion are $25 adults and $20 for youth age 18 and younger. A group discount of $5 off per ticket is available for groups of 10 or more tickets. Adult and youth tickets may be combined to achieve a group of 10 or more for $20 adult and $15 youth tickets group discount tickets. Individual tickets are available by phone or web at (850) 729-6000 or www.mattiekellyartscenter.org. Group rate tickets are only available by phone or in person from the Box Office. Box Office hours are Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. and the day of the show from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

In Spencers Theatre of Illusion, audience members don’t simply watch the show, but are also invited to participate in the magic. Using magic much like a storyteller uses words, Spencer fuses this family-friendly production with a gamut of emotions. And with the skills of a master showman, he creates a world where nothing is impossible and anything can happen.

"We call the show THEATRE OF ILLUSION because it is a combination of our love for theatre and our passion for the art of magic. We believe that magic deserves the same respect as other art forms and, when presented in the right way, magic should move an audience intellectually and emotionally in the same way that good dance, music or theatre does," noted Kevin Spencer.

"The show is very audience interactive- you won't just watch, but you'll also have the chance to participate," explained Cindy Spencer – of the duo illusionist team.

Kevin Spencer has committed his life to magic both on stage and off. When he’s not working with his crew to set up a show, Spencer can be found spreading the word about the therapeutic and educational benefits of learning magic for persons with a variety of disabilities. He is widely considered the leading authority on the functional and academic benefits of the art of illusion. Spencer received the Harry Chapin Award for Contributions to Humanity in recognition of his work in healthcare and education.

Magic is no longer merely about baffling the audience by doing something seemingly impossible. We've seen it all before. Magic these days is about spectacle, drama, danger, and personality. Kevin and Cindy Spencer are the masters of this new magic theatre. Entertainers come and go, but few make a lasting impression on their audience or their art. The Spencers are that rare exception! This is one show you won’t want to miss! For more information, visit The Spencers online at www.SpencersMagic.com.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Center is located at 100 College Boulevard, East on the Niceville Campus of Northwest Florida State College. See the center’s online Box Office website www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.